Subscribe to this blog

As petals fall elsewhere:

Categories

Archive for ‘Uncategorized’

This Saturday I went over to Cherry Wood to do another leatherwork course with Rob Exton,
cocooned in an autumn haven of orange yellow leaves, woodsmoke and low sun we were happy badgers with cold noses, working on various projects with Rob’s expert guidance. This time I decided on a red leather notebook case. I love carrying a notebook with me and jotting down lists and thoughts so having a handmade one will be all the more enjoyable!

If you fancy learning the skills you need to make beautiful functional leather goods then I highly reccomend Rob’s courses, he is a wonderful teacher AND you get to frolick in the woods! The next course is in May.

I mean it when I say Autumn is my favourite, I’m at home in Autumn, I feel renewed by the dramatic sense of change . A few weeks ago I went to the Isle of Skye and it was magnificent, I think Scotland was made for Autumn, rusty mountains and floating mists etc. While there I picked up a cosy tartan blanket in preparation for the impending hibernation, which has started early this year due to a remote location and a freak snowfall on Sunday. I love blankets. I also recently acquired a massive crochet one from family that covers our three seater sofa and gives our new home the touch that only a colourful granny square blanket can, I don’t think I can ever have too many, and when they reach the bottom of the cycle the Russian Princess (aka cat) we live with inherits them.

I’m back in four stone walls now with electricity and hot water which is most luxurious! It also means I can dust off the sewing machine and get back to creating APF products after 6 months of being a ferral woodland dweller.

Living in a forest was truly the best thing I have ever done and has given me so much, most of all a deeper respect for nature and the joy of simple living.

I shared some words about this time with a Lion I know who loves to hear stories:

And so we whooshed down our rabbit hole, me Mr and our cat, into a springtime wonderland of fluorescent green beech leaves, floors of wild garlic and bluebells and the jungle like sound of birds and insects ringing in our ears. Nature gently blew life back into my grey skin and I remembered, I was home again. My eyes ate up all the tiny details and beautiful ever changing scenes; the darting silhouettes of dancing leaves in the wind, the bright bright orange of lychen on a tree, the flash of otherworldly blue from a swooping kingfisher, the fluorescent green lightbulb of a glow worm at dusk and the million greys of a heron perched on a fallen tree in a looming storm. These little pieces of everyday magic are what I love most about the countryside, and forests in particular are especially magic – anyone who has spent enough time in one will know they have a great tangible power, to heal, protect and provide, everywhere was forest once and they hold the comfort of an ancient wisdom…

The whole story can be found within the beautiful pages of Lionheart magazine #3 – The Adventure issue! Available to order now and in shops on Monday.

It’s been a busy few days on the craft front, I finished my leather bag, which I am absolutely thrilled with and I finished off a knitting bag I knitted months ago with some liberty print lining and willow handles, it now hangs in the yurt and is very useful for oddments.

I also went on a basket making course at the weekend with Sheila Wynter, not only was it amazing to learn this new craft and come home with a basket I’d made but it was also captivating to spend time with such a wonderful crafts person, Sheila has been making baskets for well over 50 years and even has a type of willow named after her. I can’t give you a link to a website as she does all her business via post, another thing I love about her! I really enjoyed learning the process of basket making and love how every single basket is unique and handmade, function and beauty are perfectly married. Mine was a bit lumpy and bumpy but I love it, it turned out to be the shape of a traditional apple basket and has a nice spiral design.

Today is the day I open the proverbial doors to my As Petals Fall SHOP, come and have a look… there’s cards and prints, and over the next few weeks I’ll be adding lots more.

To celebrate the opening of my SHOP I am giving away some petal goodness to you:

1st prize:

Limited edition ‘Tea cosy’ screen print worth £20

This hand drawn illustration of my knitted tea cosy is screen printed on high quality Somerset white paper using water based acrylic inks and is a limited edition of 12, would look great on your wall to remind you of good things like craft and tea.

2nd prize:

Handmade garland -Exclusive, not in the Shop yet – worth £15

This beaut of a garland is 2 meters long and hand stitched using a mix of Liberty print and vintage fabrics with doilie, lace and ribbon embellishments. It is perfect for hanging in your nest to add a touch of handmade charm.

3rd prize:

A peachy package including a greetings card and some crafty bits and bobs

2) Leave a comment on this post (tell me about your favorite/ dream teapot if you like)

Names will be put in my favorite teapot and I will draw three out on Friday 10th February

** Multiple entries gained through spreading the word of the Petal – Tell people about this wonderous giveaway by sharing a link to this post/ my SHOP on Twitter or Facebook, (remember to @ mention me so I can put names into the teapot)

***In fact spreading word of the As Petals Fall SHOP will most probably be rewarded with cake (Subject to availability)

The Oh So charming Christmas Steps are holding another of their wonderful markets featuring lots of stalls of beautiful handmade goods, perfect for an alternative bit of christmas shopping avoiding the busy high street and a guaranteed dose of festive cheer with carols, mulled cider and twinkling lights. Perfect.

I absolutely cannot wait to get along to Tenderfoot gifts as it is a plethora of beautiful arts and crafts stocking work from so many talented artists/ designers/ makers. Another perfect place to find individual christmas gifts, get inspiration and meet some lovely people.

This event is very special, my wonderful friend Helen has created the most beautiful printed magazine, The first issue is about bravery, and if ever there was a brave, strong lioness then it is Hels; if you need encouragement to follow your dream/ heart then read about her journey into print.

“Lionheart is a celebration of what can be achieved, emphasising that you and your friends are brilliant” – Indeed.

This party will be a celebration of having a lion in your heart, and a physical embodiment of the magazine itself, there will be all things good: Craft, things to make and do, cake, music, wonderful people, joy…